The title and the lovely cover illustration drew me to read this story about Tania, a six-year-old Ukrainian refugee, and her parents, who fled Ukraine during World War II. They lived in Europe and eventually found safe housing in a refugee camp. However, their sense of home returned when they remembered Tania's babushka and her sunflowers. This is an inspiring true story and offers hope. ⋆🌻💛 ⋆꙳•❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊

Sunflowers are a sign of hope, warmth, positivity, and strength. This story emphasizes family unity, overcoming obstacles in life, and cherishing memories of loved ones. This truly is a heartwarming and comforting story. ⋆꙳•❅*‧ ‧*❆ ₊⋆🌻💛

Thank you, NetGalley and Publisher.

I would recommend "The Sunflowers Babushka Planted" as a read-aloud to teach children about refugees and war. However, it was not perfect. My main issues have to do with the cover and title not reflecting the story itself. Firstly, I love the sunflowers as a symbol of hope, but they should be more present throughout the whole book. Sunflowers are mentioned/shown at the beginning and at the end of the book, but they are completely forgotten in the middle. Even if they were hidden in the background of illustrations, that would have been a nice nod. Additionally, I wish there had been some closure as to what happened to Babushka. She *is* the titular character, after all. Other than these qualms, the story was very moving and heartfelt.

This is one family's story of becoming refugees in a time of war and the healing that came slowly.
The illustrations by Olga Baumert are clear, brilliant, and moving.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Star Bright Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#CBCBook #UkraineSunflowers #Refugees #Family

Wow this was such a good book, a heartwarming story! Loved it! The little girl and her grandma made such a good duo.

This is a really lovely story about a little girl, Tania, and her family how they find hope in the darkest times.  Tania and her parents had to flee their home in Ukraine during WWII, however, as the author explains at the end of the book, this is a trauma that people are still facing today across the world. 

I absolutely loved the illustrations in this book. The colours were just so vivid, but without being overbearing and there was just so much to look at. This would be a great addition to any school and would be a huge help in explaining the devastating impact of war.

A very touching story about Tania who had to flee Ukraine and become a refugee along with her parents.  Sunflowers were their comfort.  I think its a good book for teaching other children about the hardships created by war.  Yet, also teaching how to persevere and make the most of a bad situation.  The lovely illustrations give great 'final touch'.

                                                     ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                                November 2023

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

This is an amazing Ukrainian story. It starts with war, the girl leaning and having to live without Babushka. Life doesn't feel like home without Babushka. The girl remembers the little things to make it feel like Babushka is there. I think this could be relatable to many kids, but could also give insight to what life is like in war,

This story could be happening today. In fact, it surely is. And not just in Ukraine. Although written from the memories of the author's grandmother as a child refugee during and after WWII, people are still fleeing for their lives from their homes and homelands. Bombs are still falling. People are still dying. Families are being ripped apart. This story is a reality for all too many.

All that said, this story somehow manages to be both heart wrenching and hopeful. The sunflower, Ukraine's national flower and a symbol of hope, is the perfect symbol here of resilience and hope for the future. Tania's family is forced to flee their home in Ukraine during WWII. Her babushka/grandmother, is too frail to leave but urges them to do so anyway. Tania carries with her the memories of long afternoons of reading and storytelling with her babushka as well as her love of sunflowers. The family is forced to move frequently for safety and chances of a better life. None of these places seem like home. Then, Tania's mother paints sunflowers on the walls and on curtains made from flour sacks. Like Tania's babushka, her mother helps plant the seeds of hope in Tania, who eventually became the babushka of the author. 

It's a moving story, one being played out in multiple places about the world today. Children are caught in the crosshairs but hope of a better future, a better life, springs eternal. This beautifully illustrated book should be on every library and teacher's bookshelf. If you've ever had to leave behind all you know and love, this story should speak to you whatever the cause. Sadly, it's a universal story, separation from the comfort of familiarity. From safety. It's difficult for adults to cope, let alone children. Thank you so very, very much #NetGalley and #Capstone for allowing me to read this book early. Children are our future.

A beautiful refugee story told from the point-of-view of a young Ukrainian girl. The connection between the sunflowers as the national flower of Ukraine and how it reminds Tania of her Babushka is heartwarming. The author's call to action for readers to support refugees from all over the world is prescient and necessary. I enjoyed this book and it reminded me of my own grandmother.

This was such a beautiful book about hope, while tragic at the same time. It tells the story of one little girl's family having to leave Ukraine due to the war and seek refuge in a nearby country, while having to leave their grandmother behind. The imagery of sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, is used throughout as a symbolism of hope, and I loved that. This book tells such an important story that will resonate with both young and old readers, and I can't recommend it highly enough!

I often find i devour any books dealing with WW2 and the strength of so many in hard times. This was another one of those books. Having strength to find hope in sadness

The Sunflowers Babushka planted
By Beatrice Rendon Olga Baumert

With the war in Ukraine this book is a fabulous way to show the cycle of events there with kind eyes. It shows the nature of war without the brutality which can reach a younger audience and make a hard thing understandable. It also shows how hope is created by your own manifestations. A great family book, a great cultural book, and a book to help introduce this problem to children.

The illustrations were so beautiful and the storyline was heartbreaking yet important. I will definitely show this book to my future children!

This book is a beautiful story about displacement, war, and separation of families. I think it really emulates the experiences of children who experience war growing up. It would be a great book to read to kids to learn about displacement and the historical significance of how war effects various generations.

Thank you to Net Galley for this e-copy of The Sunflowers Babushka Planted by Beatrice Rendon in exchange for a honest review.This a true story based on the life of Beatrice’s grandmother or babushka.When Tania was 6, WW2 broke out and she had to leave her home in the Ukraine and  her own grandmother behind.who is too old to travel.She remembered her grandmother always planted  sunflowers as a sign of hope.As she travels Europe during the war, hiding and hoping for better days, she thinks often of her grandmother.After the war, Tania and her family  are placed in a camp where she spends many years.Here her mother paints sunflowers on homemade curtains to remind Tania to always hope for a better life.This story is very relevant today as the Ukrainians fight their own battle for survival and still look to the sunflower as a sign of hope for the future.Beautiful illustrations!

This is a lovely and beautifully illustrated story based on the author's family story of fleeing Ukraine during WWII and having to leave their beloved grandmother behind, With the current war in Ukraine, this story is particularly impactful as history repeats itself. This would be a great book to guide sharing one's own family immigration story with a young child or introducing a youngster to the concept of war's impact on families around the world. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

5 stars

This is a beautiful children’s book. The story is emotional but ends with a happy, hopeful note, the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous (I can’t wait till the cover art shows up on Goodreads!), and I appreciated both the pronunciation notes at the beginning as well as the author’s note at the end. This is a book I will definitely buy for friends who are teachers and/or those who have young kids. Truthfully, I may buy a copy for myself as well; I love it, not least of all because of the family history that is similar to some of my own as well as the parallels to current events. Anyway, as I’ve said, I loved this book. Definitely recommend.🌻

This was a lovely story that shows how it's the little things that can make a home feel like home.  I think this book is particularly applicable right now with the war in Ukraine, and with all the refugees from all over the world who are often stuck in less-than-ideal living conditions until possibly they are able to find a better life somewhere.  I like that the sunflower is used here as a symbol of beauty and rising above your circumstances.  The illustrations are done in a watercolour style and set the tone for the story really well.  I think this would be a good book to start the discussion with an older child about the realities of life for people trying to get away from war, famine, and tyranny.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

The Sunflowers Babushka Planted tells the story of Tania and her family as they are uprooted from life as they know it during WWII. 

This book was beautifully illustrated, and Beatrice Rendón was able to create a story that was both heart-wrenching and heartwarming in only 36 pages.

Wow, this book is written for children and describes in a realistic way what life being upended during a war might be like. It is inspired by the author’s grandmother’s life fleeing her home during WWII. It’s an emotional story of leaving life and family behind in order to stay safe. It’s also a story of life in refugee housing and how this family makes their scarce accommodations more like a home. The illustrations are wonderful. I’d definitely recommend buying this book when it is published. Some might not want to expose their young children to a story about war but I think it’s important for all of us to experience empathy for people who are currently going through these types of trauma. It’s a beautiful book with an important story.